Dentist, TV personality: Fitness can help you do it all

Karent Sierra, courtesy

Karent Sierra, 38, of Miami is a cosmetic dentist to numerous celebs and a TV personality, having starred in commercials and Latin shows.Her fitness philosophy: "It's my health. No one else is going to take care of you better than you."

Karent Sierra, 38, of Miami is a cosmetic dentist to numerous celebs and a TV personality, having starred in commercials and Latin shows.Her fitness philosophy: "It's my health. No one else is going to take care of you better than you." (Karent Sierra, courtesy)

David Raterman, Correspondent

Karent Sierra enjoys the fabulous life as a cosmetic dentist to numerous celebrities, including Pitbull, Jon Secada and Arturo Sandoval. And in her "second career" as a TV personality, she has starred in commercials and Latin shows. Sierra also was first runner-up in the Miss Florida USA pageant in 1993 and was named Miami's Miss Carnaval in 1992. To keep prospering, she's taken control of her body. As she says, "It's my health. No one else is going to take care of you better than you."

What's your workout routine?

Pilates twice a week is a pretty set schedule for me at Physiocore [in Coral Gables]. And then at Equinox in Coral Gables, I try to do spinning twice a week. I've done Pilates and spinning for about six years, always for an hour.

At home, I have a treadmill. On the days that get complicated and I can't get to the gym, I run or walk on the treadmill.

With the Pilates sessions, you strengthen not only your legs and core, but you also are doing arms. I like to have lean muscles and not bulk up, so I do not do much with weights.

Do you ever take breaks in your workout routine?

It's very rare that I take time off. Maybe while traveling around for my acting.

Why do you keep fit?

For different reasons. The primary reason is for health. I plan to live many years and you need to be fit and feel good for that. And, obviously, for my second career in the TV industry, to look good. But my main reason is health, to feel better emotionally and physically.

Have you played competitive sports, recently or in school?

No, but I did a little bit of cheerleading in junior high school.

Do you have a personal fitness motto or philosophy?

I don't know if this is an exact motto: I have to live for me.

It's my health. No one else is going to take care of you better than you.

Does your family keep fit?

Yes, my parents do. The treadmill at home, they exercise on it.

What's your typical daily diet?

My morning breakfast is a fruit smoothie made with orange juice, frozen berries — strawberry, blueberry or blackberry — and a banana.

During the week for lunch I go to Chicken Kitchen, which has healthy chicken with rice. That's my typical meal four times a week: yellow rice, white breast chicken. I add lettuce and tomato.

For dinner I sometimes also go to Chicken Kitchen and have plain chicken breast. I tend to have small dinners. I eat it after my afternoon workout at about 6 o'clock. Every once in a while, I'll have a protein bar for dinner.

For a snack, sometimes I have almonds — always have almonds in my office. Or fresh fruit.

I try to eat good during the week so I can cheat a little on the weekend, go to a restaurant.

What do you drink typically?

Water, 90 percent of the time I drink water. I have a glass of wine maybe once a week, a nice cabernet. It's healthy for your heart, as long as you don't drink a week's worth in one meal.

Do you take any vitamins?

I always take Omega 3-6-9, which is good for the immune system and joints. Includes all the fish oils.

Where did you acquire your fitness and nutrition knowledge?

I have had a nice group of friends since college. We all go to the same gym and talk about nutrition and what machines are right for a part of your body. So that's how I learned it.

Do you have any advice for South Florida residents looking to get fit?

Find something you enjoy doing. I don't see spinning or Pilates as a workout because I enjoy it. Some people might like bike riding if they don't like swimming. Or walking in the park. You're walking and talking and doing a little exercise.